When I see Kevin James in a film, I tend to expect something
along the lines of Paul Blart: Mall Cop.
Sad but true. With Here Comes the Boom, I was pleasantly
surprised. I'd never really
considered myself a Kevin James fan before, but I was definitely impressed with
his ability to write and star in a film that conveyed a message in a PG format
that audiences of any age could appreciate as Boom proves to be a mix of comedy, action, with just a touch of
inspiration.
Kevin James plays Scott Voss, a lackluster biology teacher
who feels compelled to save the job of his music teacher friend, played by Henry
Winkler. After trying normal means of raising money and realizing that it will
never be enough to save his friend's job and thus the school's music program, Voss
turns to mixed martial arts fighting. Along the way, he meets Niko, a former fighter turned
trainer, played by Bas Rutten, who helps him learn the ropes.
The story, as strange as it may be, actually works quite well. The performances
from James and Winkler are both noteworthy, not because they're that
outstanding, but simply because I can't think of any other actor that could
have filled their shoes and made them their own quite so well. Kevin James' brand of comedy is unique,
and Henry Winkler really can't be replaced by anyone else"”he's an actor like
none other. Bas Rutten's Niko acts
as a good comedic foil to Scott Voss and provides his own version of
inspiration for the film.
While Here Comes the
Boom has a few issues, mostly stemming from the repetitive usage of the
song "Boom", the film is a surprising success. It could have easily become
overly cheesy and trite, but instead it's actually an apt mix of a few
different genres, making it suitable for audiences of all ages, from kids all
the way up to adults.
